Scootin'...

Having our three days off each week is working out SO well.  We know that will go away by August, but the boss is hanging in there with us.  Today was the first of three.  We talked about taking the boat somewhere, but it has been a couple weeks since we have been able to take the scooters out for anything but running errands or commuting... and I have done less commuting compared to last year.

It was an absolutely glorious morning - clear blue sky.  By the time we walked uptown for breakfast, it was shirtsleeves temperature.  We ran into the boss on our way back to the boat - he asked how the "three days off thing" was working for us.

"Loving it!"

We grabbed jackets and a camera, put Izzy's lunch out early, and headed up the docks and stairs to the bikes.  Having the scoots here has made a real difference in our enjoyment.  We uncovered them, mounted up, and headed out.  Town is busy - plenty of people walking the streets.  By the time you get out of Friday Harbor, the hub-bub dwindles... and the roads on this island are perfect for cruising on two wheels.

We've run some of these roads already, but they are just as much fun the second (or third) time around.

We turned down the narrow two lane for the road Joan likes best: False Bay...

It is kinda hard to see in the photo above, but with the heavy woods and typical Pacific Northwest weather, this road actually has mossy spots on it.

Before getting to False Bay, we came across this sign...

I've been thinking about getting Izzy a pet... I wonder how she'd feel about a couple goats?  Second thought, that might get a bit smelly on the boat.  ;-)  The eggs are self-service - get what you want out of the cooler.

Running past the farm and pasture land...

With the occasional glimpse of water (above).  It's an island - you are never far from the water.  Look close in the photo above, and you can see the Olympic Mountains at the cloud line.

I like the street sign in the photo above: Frog Song Trail.

On to False Bay...

Kids playing in the tidal pools at low tide...

Yep, not much of a bay at low tide.  Pretty view looking out across Haro Strait and Juan de Fuca...

We have a Discovery Pass for both bikes (gets you into Washington State Parks), so we decided to make our way to Lime Kiln State Park (known by some as "Whale Watch Park").  Another pretty turn out, looking over Haro Strait...

Pretty views at each pull-out...

Apparently, someone didn't like the sign at the pull-out in the Westside Preserve - those are bullet holes (above).

Joan checking out the activity on the Strait with my monocular (like binoculars, but for one eye - easy to carry and hold with one hand)...

I got a phone call from our youngest captain, who is doing his first "solo" on the boat I usually drive...

"You've got this - now, make me proud."  ;-)

Lime Kiln State Park...

That calendar above keeps track of the days they see whales from Lime Kiln; well, it is also when they are detected on the hydrophone in the water there, if the whales pass by at night (but aren't seen).  As you can see, there are a number of "zeros" on that board (no whale sightings).  I'm probably a little biased, but the best way to see whales in this area is from a whale watch boat (we go where the whales are, and they are always on the move).  Another nice view...

We walked some of the trails in the park, and took an ice cream break.  From there, we went north to English Camp again.  Last time here, we didn't go down into the camp, just viewed from above.  We heard they had a scope set up to view an osprey nest, and decided to check it out...

Yep.  The youngster is BIG - must be about ready to fly.  No way to hook my camera to the scope, so you'll just have to imagine.

We were discussing the wind direction; Joan used her compass app to check it out...

It's OK, we are scooting, not anchoring.  ;-)  You can tell the wind direction from the flag...

Here's a closer view of the blockhouse in the photo above...

Good design: those little openings on the second story are for guns.  That level was set 45º off from the lower part of the structure, to allow the guns to be aimed at any direction.  If you read up on the Pig War, you know the guns weren't necessary.

I put my camera away after this stop, but we continued riding.  All over the island.  We found new roads to explore as well as our favorites.  Just a beautiful day; fun roads.  We did pass some rental mopeds a few times, and people on bicycles; but, not a lot of other traffic.  Yet.  People are showing up for this holiday week.  The island will be hopping from here on.